A Fife MP of has been accused of “living in the pretend world” after a budget row appeared to cause a party political split.
Cupar independent councillor Bryan Poole said he despaired at the “intemperate outburst” by Dunfermline MP Thomas Docherty.
He attacked Fife Council leader David Ross over the possibility of ending the council tax freeze.
An internal Labour Party war broke out over the issue last week when Mr Docherty said council tax will not rise under Labour and the leader of Fife Council should stop “banging on” about the prospect.
Mr Ross hit back by claiming his party colleague at Westminster did not properly understand the budget restrictions.
However, Mr Docherty said: “Enough is enough.
“David Ross has to accept council tax is not going to be raised under a Labour executive.
“David Ross keeps banging on in Fife Council about raising council tax.
“Jim Murphy has made it absolutely clear this is not something Labour will even be considering.
“Of course the way local government has been underfunded needs to be addressed but raising taxes on those who are struggling to pay their bills is not the solution and Councillor Ross needs to understand that.”
Mr Poole who, along with Benarty/Kelty independent councillor Willie Clarke held anti-austerity roadshows in support of a council tax increase, said politicians needed a reality check.
He said: “In reading the Dunfermline MP Thomas Docherty’s intemperate outburst over council tax, I despair about the disconnect between some MPs and what is actually happening in the real world.
“Not to be outdone, Councillor Douglas Chapman Mr Docherty’s opponent in the forthcoming general election then waded into the argument via social media, to all intents and purposes in support of Mr Docherty.
“Oh what a complicated political world we’re living in.
“This must be what is meant by the SNP and Labour working together working together to reduce public services.
“Given their same position on the notion of increasing the funding available to Fife Council via an increase in the council tax, we have to assume that Mr Docherty and Councillor Chapman both support the cuts to public services that every Fife Council budget has resulted in over the last eight years.
“In education, the budget has been cut to the bone, with the service only surviving by the goodwill of those working in it.
“The same applies to social work.
“The service is severely under-resourced and is only able to maintain the service on the back of the goodwill of staff.
“Again, I have to assume Mr Docherty and Councillor Chapman believe that acceptable.
“Most other services are running to stand still.
“I’d like to hear from Mr Docherty and Councillor Chapman what services should be cut next.
“They are both living in the ‘pretend world’ where they support cuts and then are among the first to complain when council services are reduced.
“It is a dishonest approach to politics.”
Fife Council leader David Ross told Fife Council’s budget meeting last month he had “serious discussions” about the possibility of defying the Scottish Government freeze.
Council tax has not increased since 2007, with local authorities receiving additional funding from the Scottish Government by agreeing to the freeze.
malexander@thecourier.co.uk